Sony NEX-7 high-end APS-C mirrorless camera first look

Sony has announced the much leaked NEX-7 enthusiast-targeted mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. It manages to squeeze vast amounts of the A77's capabilities into a body barely bigger than the existing NEX models. It packs a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor and 2.4M dot OLED electronic viewfinder into its magnesium alloy body and yet still finds room for a pop-up flash and Alpha hot shoe. Working samples of the NEX-7 have not been made available to the press anywhere in the world, so we have not been able to prepare a hands-on preview. However, we have seen and handled an early pre-production unit and have interrogated Sony about its operation. We have used this to prepare an overview of the camera, which we will expand to a preview when cameras with functioning firmware are available.

MSRP (Body only)

$1199

(With exclusive black 18-55mm lens)

$1399

Sony NEX-7 first look

When Sony introduced its brand-new range of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras in May 2010, the company was very clear about who it thought would buy the NEX-5 and its near-identical-twin NEX-3. Small cameras with APS-C sensors, we were told, would appeal to compact camera users who wanted to upgrade but would be intimidated by the bulk and perceived complexity of an SLR. The cameras were a sales success (especially in Japan), and their influence on this sector of the market has become increasingly clear, with Olympus's PEN E-PL3 paying extensive homage to their key design features, and Panasonic stripping-down its GF line from the enthusiast-friendly DMC-GF1 to the distinctly beginner-orientated DMC-GF3.

In practice, though, it wasn't just beginners buying these cameras. Many enthusiast photographers have been equally attracted to the promise of excellent image quality in a small, highly portable camera, fuelled by the ability to adapt almost any lens to fit. To its credit Sony has taken note and steadily increased the NEXs' appeal, with successive firmware updates to improve usability and add features.

Now, with the NEX-7, Sony is specifically targeting those advanced users with a camera whose key spec reads like it's come straight off an enthusiast's wishlist. First up is the new 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor, shared with the co-announced SLT-A77, that enables true 1080p60 video recording. Then there's the EVF that's been squeezed into the compact body (and also shared with the A77) - the 2.4M dot OLED unit is the highest resolution yet seen in a stills camera, and has an eye sensor for automatic switching with the rear LCD. Rounding off the additions are a built-in flash and Alpha-type hotshoe, all in a body that's about the same size as the Olympus PEN E-P3.

The NEX-7 also expands on the existing interface, adding two dials on the top plate that can be used to control a wide variety of functions, plus a conveniently-placed button beside the shutter that's used to cycle through their functions. The familiar rear dial and three 'soft' keys on the back of the camera are retained, as is the handy tilting rear LCD.

Outline view

With NEX-5N overlaid

The NEX-7 uses a new shutter arrangement, with an (optional) electronic first curtain. In other words, the camera no longer has to close the shutter then open it again to start the exposure, and according to Sony this decreases shutter lag from 100ms to just 20ms. This isn't completely new technology - Canon's live view capable DSLRs have been using it since the EOS 40D of 2007 - but it's very welcome to see it implemented in this type of camera.

Further indication, if any were needed, of the NEX-7's serious intentions is provided by the co-announced Carl Zeiss-branded E 24mm F1.8 lens (also known as the SEL24F18Z). This offers a field of view equivalent to a 35mm lens on full frame, and places the NEX-7 squarely up against the likes of the Fujifilm FinePix X100 (with its fixed 23mm F2 lens), as well as the E-P3. The NEX-7 will also be sold with a black version of the standard E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS kit zoom.

Sony NEX-7 specification highlights

All-new 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor (shared with the SLT-A7 and A657)

ISO 100-16000

Built-in 2.4M dot OLED EVF with eye sensor

Electronic first-curtain shutter (cuts response time from 100ms to 20ms)

New E-mount lenses

Alongside the NEX-7 (and the updated NEX-5N), Sony has also announced three new lenses. As well as the Carl Zeiss E 24mm F1.8 mentioned above, there's an image-stabilized E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS telephoto zoom (SEL55210), and another fast prime in the shape of the E 50mm F1.8 (SEL50F18). While the latter is, in our opinion, a slightly curious focal length for a brand-new APS-C format design (we'd prefer to see a fast portrait lens in the 60-70mm range), there's no denying the fact that inexpensive 50mm primes have proven very popular with DSLR users.

Further lens options - LA-EA2 Alpha mount autofocus adapter

To further expand the range of lenses that NEX owners can use with full functionality, Sony has also announced the LA-EA2 adapter that promises fast autofocus with all existing Alpha mount lenses. This uses the company's SLT technology, with a fixed 'translucent' mirror and built-in phase detection AF sensor, plus an AF motor for 'screw-drive' lenses. Somewhat reminiscent of Leica's old 'Visoflex' system for its M-mount film rangefinders, the rather bulky housing also has its own tripod socket for use with larger lenses. The LA-EA2 includes the same 15-point AF sensor as the SLT A65 and original A55.

While this certainly expands on the range of lenses accessible to NEX owners, we're not entirely convinced of its real-world practicality (especially as, at $399, it's not cheap). We have a sneaking suspicion that it only exists to show that the NEX can be used with more than the handful of native E-mount lenses, rather than being a big seller. It seems likely that most people who own a range of Alpha lenses will already have SLRs to use them on, increasingly supplemented by 'real' SLTs. And perhaps the biggest attraction of mirrorless camera over SLRs is compactness, which rather goes away when using AF lenses with such a large adapter. But for those who bought a NEX and then discovered that they really wanted an SLT after all, it could well come in handy, and we can see potential for videography.

Tri-Navi control system

The NEX-7 features three control dials. Here you can see the interface the default controls for Aperture Priority mode with Aperture Value on the left-hand dial, Exposure Comp. on the right and ISO on the rear dial.

The pre-production NEX-7 units shown to journalists (including ourselves), featured NEX-5N firmware, making it impossible to make sense of how well the NEX-7's 'Tri-Navi' three dial control system works. Given that the existing NEX interface isn't ideal for the kind of committed enthusiast photographers that the NEX-7 is aimed at, it's clear that the most important aspect of the NEX-7 is how well it's been implemented.

We have, however, discussed this interface extensively with Sony and can provide the following exclusive detail about how Tri-Navi will work:

Default 'Exposure' control settings:

The default exposure options are predefined and cannot be adjusted. No matter how many additional functions you choose to assign to the control system, these are always available.

Exposure mode:

Dial 1

Dial 2

Dial 3

Program Mode

Program shift

Exposure compensation

ISO

Aperture Priority

Aperture value

Exposure compensation

ISO

Shutter Priority

Shutter value

Exposure compensation

ISO

Manual exposure

Shutter value

Aperture value

ISO

Beyond this, you can choose up to four sets of controls that can be applied to the dials (from a choice of 6). When using the camera, pressing the button on the front shoulder cycles between the sets you've selected, in the order you've specified.

Pressing the button on the front of the camera takes you away from the default, exposure settings and then cycles through up to four other sets of commands that you can assign to the three control dials.

This screen shows the function of the NEX 7's control dials in the 'D-Range' preset. Dial 1 controls the extent of DRO or HDR, Dial 2 controls exposure compensation and Dial 3 defines which of the two functions you're using.

Presets:

Dial 1

Dial 2

Dial 3

Focus

Focus Area Mode

Move AF point left/right

Move AF point up/down

White Balance

Select WB preset

Fine-tune WB in Amber/Blue axis

Fine-tune WB in Green/Magenta axis

D-Range

Extent of DRO or HDR

Exposure Compensation

Off/DRO/HDR

Creative Styles

Select Creative Style Preset

Adjust image parameter (Sharpness/
Saturation/
Contrast)

Select image parameter
(Sharpness/
Saturation/
Contrast)

Picture Effects

Select Picture Effect

Adjust effect parameter (where applicable)

N/A

Custom

Option1

Option2

Option3

The exciting option for us is the 'Custom' setting. As you might expect, this allows you to specify which function you want on each dial. There's only one Custom slot, so you can only create one personalized 'set.'

There are nine settings that can be applied to the dials and, once assigned to a dial, is removed from the list of available options for the other dials. There is also the option to assign no function to any given dial.

For settings that usually have multiple options (such as the different extents that can be applied to HDR and DRO), all these options are available as a long list to spin through, when assigned to a dial. This differs from their behavior when they appear as one of the presets.

Although we are not in a position to assess how well this system will work when out with the camera, taking photographs, it does sound promising. Our immediate thought was that we could assign Quality to the left dial, DRO/HDR to the right dial then Exposure Comp. to the center dial, so that it's easy to drop into JPEG-only shooting, shoot an HDR shot, then quickly flick back to Raw shooting (something we've found rather time-consuming on other Sonys).

Comments

Actually, if you think about it, you'll see that the whole "the lenses are too bulky" discussions are mostly pointless.

Yes, the body is so tiny. Yes, even the lens mount is larger than the body itself.

The problem is, you're thinking it as a pocketable camera. Stop trying to shove it into your back... pocket and get a shoulder strap(actually included). Then you'd notice that when on a strap, NEX will be pointing DOWN. When it's on your shoulder, even a VERY large lens like 80-200 2.8 will be no problem to carry around because it will be pointing down AND the camera is already smaller than the lens itself.

What's more? Don't compare it with any 4/3 camera because it has a much larger sensor, so that it's meaningful to use your old lenses on this. A Canon FD 50/1.4 will be dirt cheap and it'll act as a very useable 75mm lens, not a 100mm it'd be on a 4/3.

And about that AF adapter, has anyone noticed how cool it'd be using that on a NEX Camcoder? All Alpha lenses, in AF, in video.

I really don't know where that "pocketable holy grail" comes from. Boring stuff in reality. I wear tight jeans, even a GF-3 with the 14mm panckacke on is not pocketable.If size does matter, for whatever the reason, in general a m43 set-up will be smaller. In that regard, the bulkiness of lenses is meaningful. Now, size is not always that critical, its up to you to choose your compromise.

As fas as sensor size is concerned. Yes, FoV equivalence for a 50mm lense will be 75mm with shallower DoF instead of 100mm on a m43. But why on earth would 75mm be more meaningful? This is a bold statement.

As for video, AF is not a killer feature. This is a world of MF. Top of the hill Zeiss cine lenses work on both systems and without AF. End of the debate.

Don't get me wrong, the NEX-7 is highly compelling and for more than one reasons. There is no need to fall into a NEX vs M43 battle to be excited about what Sony brings on the table!

Maybe a company will finally develop dedicated APS-C primes and fast zooms, besides Pentax. Nikon has never fully developed their line. Sony now has all the reasons to do that and forget the lofty FF sector, leave that to C/N.

The best thing is there's NO F***IN' TOUCH SCREEN! Putting touch screens on these advanced cams is the worst dead end in photo history. Like the GH2, totally let down by this useless and annoying feature.

I find the touch focus an incredibly useful thing. For example with macro / flower shots I can first compose the scene then simply touch different areas of it to focus. Very handy and at large apertures with narrow DOF it works far better than the focus and recompose technique (and faster too).

Maybe it is time for me to have a serious look at this camera... I liked the NEX ever since the NEX3, but the lack of built in VF stopped me from showing a serious interest, but now with this new camera it is different... The only thing I don't like (from what I read so far) is that stupid Sony specific flash shoe. Why can't Sony use the industry standard established a very long time ago is behind my comprehension.

Anyway... Excellent work Sony and good luck with the sales.Looking forward to the full review.

Sony should learn the lesson taught with their beta home video system over the most popular VHS one. As a matter of fact, all these annoying non standard flash hotshot, memory stick (vs SD), ATRAC (vs MP3) will hurt Sony's sales rather than help.

Because there is no industry standard. Every manufacturer has different contacts for different purposes in different positions. The way it is now, all Sony/Minolta flash shoe accessories will fit. Without adapter. And, so will all Metz flashes.

as a matter of fact sony does not use memory sticks anymore, sonyericsson phones now use micro usb, atrac is gone many years ago and sony walkmans can read mp3...Every manufacturer has its specific flash shoe, so why should we blame Sony and not the others?

tompabes2: maybe because 90% of DSLR users out there have a nikon or a canon and NOT a metz flash and a Minolta. as simple as that.And how many years be4 they accepted mp3 that was already a standard and sd that was already a standard?

Elegant. Bravo! Apple pushes technology in smart-phones and Sony in cool cameras. If the DPREVIEW judges the Nex 7 as positive as the specs indicate, then I will take the plunge. I am also waiting for the iPhone 5 release before the end of the year. It's going to be a fun time technology-wise!

What a drop dead gorgeous looking NEX this one is, my sister has the NEX 5 and for sure I am having the 7 to replace my aging portable camera the Ricoh GX100 (and maybe I won't take out my Pentax K-7 quite as much). The blows the 4/3s cameras out of the water big time.

Those types of lenses typically will have issues on digital sensors - vignetting and color casts at the corners. This is why the Leica M8 and M9 required special microlenses over the sensor that redirect more light to the corners. yet they still have issues and the files from wide lenses often require firmware or software correction.

At some point perhaps this issue can be overcome but I think it helps explain why the 24mm 1.8 lens is so large.

So what is with the stupid 24mp sensor, does ANYONE out there want 24mp? I dumb my 5d11 down to 9mp most of the time as I just don't want to deal with those huge files. Give me about 10 or 12mp and another stop of low light capability.

Sony has got everything right, EXCEPT, for the senseless pursuit of megapixel count. This is the Big Fat Fly in the ointment. Increasing the pixel density can only lead to deterioration of image quality. Going from 14MP on the NEX-5 to 24MP on this one, means an increase of 71% in pixel density.

The days of getting consumers to sheepishly believing that more (MP) is better are long gone and over! I hope Sony wakes up to this fact! Stop kidding itself and conning the consumers! With its reputation, Sony can easily reverse this most stupid trend in the history of mankind.

Just take a leaf from Lumix LX-3, LX-5, Oly XZ-1 cases. Why has the "more is better" push been reversed in these cases ?

I can bet you, that a pic shot with this 24MP is going to turn out much worse than a 10MP shot that comes out from a Nikon D3000, and definitely worse than a 6MP shot that comes out from a D40!

The other Hard Truth is that a 6MP sensor is much cheaper than a 24MP sensor!

Those silly guys and their 40+ MP medium format cams, who do they think they're fooling?! A 6MP MF sensor is where it's at! :)

The real question is: will this concern continue when and if Nikon starts employing their own version of the same sensor? I have a feeling that when the other big brands reach that number, then it will be just enough to get by!

Now this is impressive. Would have been lovely with a full-frame sensor, perhaps using a Nikon-esque APS-C crop mode for the existing NEX lenses (with 24mp of real estate to spare it would have more than enough resolution). The sight of a Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 on the front of an NEX-7 would be absurd, but imagine a fast wide Leica lens on a full-frame, 24mp NEX-7. That would be something.

Don't many high res cameras also allow for raw shooting in lower res? I definitely see a significant increase in all aspects of image quality (more detail, less noise, better dynamic range, better high ISO) going from the 1DS to the 5D then to the 5DII. And as an architectural shooter, I can make use of all of that extra detail and improved quality. So my hands on experience contradicts your assumption.

pixelsensible, The 16MP sony sensor is currently the best sensor ever made. It has high DR VS any camera...ever! Its sharper vs the D700!

Sooo....no need to stay at 12! i do really wish they would have put the 16mp sensor in the NEX7....that would have been an INSTANT sale to me. I would pre order it RIGHT NOW...I love the high ISO capability of that sensor. Its a proven GREAT sensor.

But, with the unknown 24MP sensor...I will have to wait for the review.

I use my 4 old Leciaflex lens on my NEX5. Worked great. So I brought a Rodenstock 15 mm lens and love it. Only if Sony will use 16 bit color then it is as good if not better than a Leica at one seventh the price. I can't wait for the NEX7, It will be good for old timer like me especially with the new focusing aid that turn everything that are in focus red. A tiny camera with a tiny lens is the best thing with or without auto focus. Perfect city candid photo taking much like the original Leica. Only if Leica come out with something similar then I will become a Leica man again. Can your hear this Leica. Get your acts together now!

I must admit that we are really taking a very hard look at SONY's NEX-7 with all these features, true in camera HDR, 60fps video at 1080p, etc., packaged into a compact, very high resolution 24mp imager... I've always said to my students, "keep an eye on SONY" as they too make their own imagers as does Canon...

Not sure what performance will be like but the only way I would want to handle that camera would be with a small pancake sized lens on the front. When you take a small form factor like that and add 4-5 inches of glass on the front, you have a recipe for carpal tunnel problems.

Nonsense - you've obviously never handled one. I use my NEX-5 with a heavy old Minolta 50 1.4 + adapter - hold it underneath with my left hand, and focus, click buttons and shutter with my right, and carry it around with the perfectly balanced grip. It all works beautifully!

It makes me wonder how Fuji was able to get such a small form factor with the x100 lens, and if Sony can create a slim lens. I really think Sony may have something here and am looking forward to seeing how it performs at high ISO.

@Tee1up: Because the X100 it's optimized for only THAT lens...only that, and just that, so they could focus on getting it small..you can see that tendency on several fixed lens cameras...

@tkbslc: Yes, Samsung uses APS-C but the registration distance from flange to sensor is 7.5mm longer than Sony NEX-series (about only 18mm) so that helps Samsung develop smaller lenses while their bodies are longer...you can see a similar example with Pentax pancake lens...because of the big registration distance they can make the lens smaller.

m4/3 isn't a substantially smaller sensor format than APS-C – most of the difference is attributable to its squarer proportions. So, no need for a significantly larger image circle or significantly larger lenses.

I think the NEX 7 is the most attractive of all the NEX cameras, and the NEX cameras are generally a lot more attractive than other mirrorless system cameras. But it's obviously just a matter of taste.

I think it has gone a different style to the other Nex cameras, it seems to be a great mix of Rangefinder and Compact camera styles. You couldn't actually complain too much about how it looks strange having a large lens on a small body, personally I think they look awesome either way

Grant. I don't even like putting my keys, wallet, and phone in my pocket. Heck, I think the iphone 4 is too big. I would never put a small interchangeable lens in my pocket, ever. It is a bag for sure so maybe there are others like me. I don't expect everyone to feel the same though.

If you are complaining about a bag with a NEX in it that you'll barely notice it's there compared to a bulky M43 in your pocket, then sorry. You are seriously weaksauce.

Grant are you saying your FF camera fits in your pocket?I had the Nex-5 w/ the attached 18-55 in various jackets of mine travelling around Japan. I didn't even bother with a neck strap, it's perfect for a wrist strap. This camera even if it is larger than the Nex-5 is still going to be smaller than my friends D7000 or my other friends 550D or my GF's 5DmkII! I'll take this Nex-7 and a jacket pocket of lenses any day!

I agree. Honkin lenses on a credit-card sized camera defeat the purpose. I'll take a compact travel zoom over this because the 12, 15, 18x lens is built in and FOLDS UP into the camera.

Now, if someone wants to build a compact travel zoom-type camera with a larger sensor and concentrate on stellar image quality, sharpness, CA correction & sensitivity, I'm fine with it being a little chunkier because even then, it's SO much more convenient than these clunky 2, 3, 4, 5 piece systems that require you to change lenses & two hands to operate.

lol IEBA1 if that's you point of view why are you even here complaining about the NEX. Defeat what purpose ? Pleasing YOU ? I can assure you a compact superzoom replacement was nowhere near their intentions. I can start talking about the advantages of a Phone-camera or a Hasselblad right now but it's not going to do much good is it.

No mention on whether the image sensor has micro lenses to support wide angle lenses. This is a concern of mine and the reason I have preordered the Ricoh GXR M mount. Earlier NEX models struggled with getting enough light to the edge of the sensor, affecting the picture quality esp. at the edge of the photo.

The lenses aren't any bigger than they would be for any other aps-c sensor camera. With this a small camera the ratio is just off. That'sall. So either take the size advantage of the camera and live with the lenses, or go all the way with a SLR.

I just realized that it might be pretty silly having a huge 55-210 telephoto lens protuding from your face as your look through the EVF haha...like a big nose blocking your view. Still better than in the center though.. +1

Love the camera and so tempted to buy but the very thing that makes it great (small size, great sensor) is negated by those bulky lenses! I bought the NEX-5 a year ago - and loved it. Sony kept promising the 55-210mm lens and it never happened. Now they're promising it again... I will wait to see what Panasonic puts in it's next Pro series GF camera before even /considering/ a jump back to the NEX. For now my E-P3 is cheaper, produces great photos and has a plethora of small, fast, usable lenses to match.

1. No clean HDMI-out. When connected to an HDTV, it displays all the menus along with the video feed, and the resolution is not 1920x1080, but less.

2. No touch-screen LCD. The NEX-5N has a touch screen, why not the NEX-7?I know it has 3 dials, which is great, but why not add the touch capability as well?I know a lot of folks who love using touch-focus, and it's missing here.

3. The screen only tilts up and down, like on the NEX-5 and NEX-5N. I really wanted a hinge mechanism just like the one on the A77.

4. Anyone here know how many focus points the NEX-7 is supposed to have?And how many of those are cross-type?Sony gladly mentions this on the A77 and A65, but no word what-so-ever of this feature on the NEX cams.

7. They can create a small 0.5" EVF with 1024x768, but on the larger 3" LCD they limit to 640x480. Again, why?? I'd much rather have a better resolution LCD, and give up entirely on that EVF. Freedom to shoot is key.

24MP shots in 10FPS is really great, and I'm happy with that.But what about the storage media that's supposed to store them?I was expecting Sony to introduce a wicked-fast card to go along with those new fast cameras. But the fastest SD card on the market is currently rated at 45MB/s. As you've probably guessed, that is NOT fast enough.

Each 24MP RAW photo is roughly 24MB in size.24MB x 10fps = 240MB/sec.This is how fast the card needs to sequentially write. Yep, it's SSD territory. So Sony should have implemented a 1.8" SSD card instead of a measly SDXC card slot. Even if SDXC reaches 3 times the speed with UHS-I or UHS-II, or whatever, it's still not enough.

First, the firmware isn't even final yet so wait for at least a preview version first. Second, a lot of those sound like battery life reasons to me. I'll gladly give up the higher resolution screen for a crazy EVF and more shots. Same strategy that Panasonic uses because their LCD screens have been low resolution for ages because they can't sacrifice battery life and the EVF. That just isn't an option. The A77 and A65 have fat batteries and battery grips so they can afford to go super high resolution both ways.

NOW THIS IS WHY OLYMPUS & LUMIX HAS TOUTCH SCREENS SO THOES THAT WANT THEM CAN BUY THEIRS. I FOR ONE AM OLD SCHOOL. IF ALL WERE THE SAME WE WOULD HAVE A REAL PROBLEM THEN. SO FAR FROM WHAT I SEE I WANT A NEX 7. TIME WILL TELL.

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